10/30/2011 - Surprise Field Trip

(Another installment in Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)



The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia


Good morning, all. So delighted to see you all again. Please join me in welcoming back our esteemed Assistant Pastor, Neeko S. Spaulding, Ecumenisist Extraordinaire.

Neeko has illustrated his sermon and we won't know until we deliver it if the drawings will show up, so please bear with us. The sermon itself is just as beautiful without the artwork so either way, you're in for a treat.

Please welcome Neeko to our pulpit. (applause applause cat calls...wolf whistles....and a few "wooos" from the Siberian Huskies)

(ahem.....)

The Cross

A young man was at the end of his rope.
Seeing no way out he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied,
"My son, if you can't bear its weight,
just place your cross inside this room.
Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The young man was filled with relief. "Thank you Lord," he sighed, and he did what he was told.
Upon entering the other door, he saw many other crosses, some so large the tops weren't even visible.
Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against the far wall. "I'd like that one Lord," he whispered.
And the Lord replied,
"My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

We all have our trials and tribulations, yet sometimes those
of others seem so much less troubling than our own.
Share this reminder with your friends and family of how
although times may seem to be hard,we have many blessings to be thankful for.

(Neeko says: "Thank you so much for having me back. I've missed you all and hope to spend even MORE time with you this winter.")

(Mary-Margaret approaches the podium)

Thank YOU, Neeko. You always make our gatherings even more joyful.

Now.....everyone........we have another field trip planned as a surprise today. We are going to...(drum roll, please?)....

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. It's a bit further away than some of our previous field trips so we need you to do a couple of things:

First, click on this link St Petersburg, Russia

We suggest you select the low resolution unless you have an amazingly fast internet connection. We're on DSL through TimeWarner and we still got the best results with the low resolution. NEXT, once it loads, in the upper left hand corner, select HIDE controls, and FULL SCREEN. It's absolutely the most marvelous tour we've been on yet.

Not only do we fly over the city on one of the most beautiful days in history, but if we click on the little helicopter icons on the horizon we'll be taken immediately by magic to a specific garden, palace, church, cathedral or other landmark. I could sit here for hours but my secretary had every intention of going to bed about an hour ago and I don't want to push my luck with her.

Now....quickly give your pew mates a hug, grab your belongings and race to the bus parked out by the purple fire hydrant. See you in St. Petersburg.

Have a wonderful time. Snacks provided on the bus by the newly formed Order of the Halter, comprised of members of our congregation who are also acting pastors, and who someday will wear the collar. We welcome Neeko, Buffie, Gizzie, Eleanor, AbbeyMia and ask that any others interested in our continuing bible study, please sign up on the bus.

Lord, help us to be as we wish others to be. Amen

Blessings....

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous